Daily Faceoff’s Mike Gould posted a 2023-2024 season preview for the Detroit Red Wings today, assessing the team’s offense, defense, goaltending, coaching and top prospects, all before asking the following “burning questions”:
1. Can Dylan Larkin find another level? Larkin has yet to score 80 points in a single season. He’s never been a point-per-game player in the NHL, although he’s come extremely close the last two years. Now that Alex DeBrincat is in the fold, there’s no reason why the Red Wings shouldn’t be able to trot out a top line that can dominate in the offensive zone. Larkin is extremely talented — 85 or even 90 points shouldn’t be out of the question. If he can get there, the Red Wings should be in good shape.
2. Is Moritz Seider truly the guy? Seider endured some serious growing pains as a sophomore, although a significant chunk of that can be attributed to the team’s inexplicable acquisition and deployment of Ben Chiarot. Seider was a force to be reckoned with in his rookie season and he has all the tools to be a franchise defenseman in the NHL. If Jake Walman truly is his natural partner, Seider should be able to take off in a full season alongside him. But if that magic starts to wear off, the Red Wings are light on potential replacements.
3. Who will lock down the 2C role? Andrew Copp scored nine goals last year. He makes $5.625 million through 2027. Copp and J.T. Compher will likely duke it out for that 2C role during training camp and throughout the season, but it’s difficult to pencil either in as a bona fide top-six center until one of them proves he can handle the responsibility. Copp really only has one strong playoff run with the New York Rangers to hang his hat on, while Compher has always been insulated within the Colorado Avalanche system.
I’m of the opinion that Larkin doesn’t need to find “another level” as much as he needs to continue driving play with his puck possession and speed while skating with DeBrincat; I’m just not worried about Moritz Seider’s long-term development; and I will admit that I am curious and/or concerned as to whether Copp, Compher or Kasper will emerge as the Wings’ 2nd line center.
